Some things to read while setting yourself up for failure.
Well, let's start with the good news: Despite what you might have heard, the Brewers aren't willing to consider moving to Orlando (FanShot). The rumor started with some irresponsible speculation from an Orlando reporter as part of a story on a group of investors looking to bring major league baseball to the city. The Brewers' lease of Miller Park runs through the 2030 season and includes a non-relocation clause. As Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times notes, if a team is going to Orlando, the Rays are a much more likely candidate.
Tom Haudricourt's weekend notes included updates on three topics:
- The Brewers still face an uphill climb if they intend to get Prince Fielder (and Scott Boras) to sign an extension, but they still intend to try.
- Haudricourt also has the first roundup I've seen from the pitching symposium held in Maryvale last week. It sounds like the minor league affiliates will still be piggybacking starters in 2010, but will relax pitch counts and expand the use of long tossing.
- Todd Coffey says he feels "better than ever" this offseason and credits it to an exercise program he learned from Trevor Hoffman, who seems to be paying dividends in more ways that one.
Following the pitching symposium, Rick Peterson headed to Birmingham, Alabama to give a presentation on biomechanics at the American Sports Medicine Institute's annual conference.
Next year at this time, perhaps he'll be giving lectures on coaching lefty-heavy rotations. The Brewers Bar notes that the Brewers haven't had three lefties make 15 starts in a season since 1999, when Scott Karl, Bill Pulsipher and Jim Abbott did it.
One of this new generation of lefties, though, is predicting big things for 2010: Manny Parra told WSSP he thinks the 2010 Brewers can win 90 games.
Meanwhile, at least one more analyst isn't a big fan of the Brewers' offseason moves: Tim Brown of Yahoo compared the signings of Randy Wolf and Doug Davis to putting a tarp over a leaking roof. Perhaps Yahoo should put a tarp over Tim Brown.
Speaking of things to put a tarp over, the Brewers' announcement of Retro Weekends in 2010 inspired Kevin Kaduk of Big League Stew to make a list of the 1990s' worst uniforms.
Here are roughly a thousand minor league notes:
- Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com is planning on unveiling his top 30 prospects later this week, and has invited some others to do so on his blog before then. Alcides Escobar was the only player to appear on the lists, with Prospects Paradise ranking him 14th and Camden Crazies ranking him 21st. He missed the cut on OriolesProspects.com's list.
- Around the Cooler also listed their top 30 prospects, and ranked Escobar 12th.
- Wisconsin Sports Tap ranked their top five starting pitching prospects in the Brewer organization, with Eric Arnett #1.
- Brew City Sports ranked their top ten Brewer prospects: the biggest surprise is likely Cody Scarpetta, who they have sixth. The BCB Community Prospect Rankings have him 13th.
- John Sickels listed Scarpetta as a possible sleeper in his 2009 prospect book, and reviewed the results over the weekend.
- Speaking of the Community Rankings, you have until 4 pm today to cast your vote for the 17th and final spot. As of this writing, Kyle Heckathorn leads Evan Anundsen by eight votes, with Josh Butler and Taylor Green also within 30.
Around baseball:
Angels: Acquired reliever Brian Stokes from the Mets for Gary Matthews Jr. and a sackload of cash.
Astros: Avoided arbitration with Tim Byrdak ($1.6 million) and Hunter Pence ($3.5 million).
Blue Jays: Signed pitcher Shawn Hill to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Giants: Designated infielder Jesus Guzman for assignment.
Padres: Signed Matt Stairs to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Phillies: Signed catcher Carlos Ruiz to a three year, $8.85 million deal, avoiding arbitration.
Rangers: Signed catcher Toby Hall to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Rockies: Re-signed Jason Giambi to a one year deal worth $1.75 million.
Meanwhile, Adam McCalvy noted a Jerry Crasnick tweet suggesting that veteran infielder and former Brewer Mark Loretta will announce his retirement this week and accept a job in a major league front office. I'd be thrilled to welcome him back as a Brewer.
Speaking of players with Wisconsin ties, Rattler Radio stumbled across something interesting over the weekend: former Brewer exec and current Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik played briefly for the Appleton Foxes in 1973 and 74.
Happy birthday today to:
- Eric Arnett, who turns 22.
- Likely 2010 Nashville Sound Anderson Machado, who turns 29.
- Derrick Turnbow, who turns 32.
I'm also told today is the 50th birthday of bubble wrap. Celebrate accordingly.
That's all I have for you today, unless you're looking for a great recap of yesterday's Badger game.
Drink up.